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Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e
| Part 8. Infectious Diseases > Section 16. Fungal Infections > |
Chapter 205. Mucormycosis
Sections: Mucormycosis: Introduction, Further Readings.
Topics Discussed: fungal infections, invasive; mucormycosis.
Excerpt:"Mucormycosis represents a group of life-threatening infections caused by fungi of the order Mucorales. Recent reclassification has abolished the class Zygomycetes and placed the order Mucorales in the subphylum Mucoromycotina. Therefore, infection caused by the Mucorales is most accurately referred to as mucormycosis, although the term zygomycosis may still be used by some sources. Mucormycosis is highly invasive and relentlessly progressive, resulting in higher rates of morbidity and mortality (>40%) than many other infections. A high index of suspicion is critical for diagnosis, and early initiation of therapy—often before confirmation of the diagnosis—is necessary to optimize outcomes.Fungi of the order Mucorales belong to six families, all of which can cause mucormycosis. Among the Mucorales, Rhizopus oryzae (in the family Mucoraceae) is by far the most common cause of infection. Less frequently isolated species of the Mucoraceae family that cause a similar spectrum of infections include Rhizopus microsporus, Rhizomucor pusillus, Mycocladus corymbifer (formerly Absidia corymbifera), Apophysomyces elegans, and Mucor species (which, despite its name, is a rare cause of mucormycosis). Increasing..."
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